Automatic electrical self-soldering reset for thermal protectors.



PATBNTED MAR. 20, 1 906.

. v F. B. COOK. AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL SELF SOLDBRING RESET FOR THERMAL PROTECTOR-S.

APPLICATION FILED APR.27, 190s.

Inrnibr: I

thir UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

FRANK B. COOK, OF CHICAGOIILLINOIS. mrommc ELECTRICAL SELF-SOLDERING RESET FOR THERMAL PROTECTORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 20, 1906-.

Application filed April 27, 1905. Serial No. 257,669.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK B-. CooK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Im rovements in Automatic Electrical Self -So dering Resets for-Thermal Protectors of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, illustrating same. Y

My invention relates to thermal protective I devices for electrical circuits and apparatus,

my object being, first, to provide su a rotector and a device to cooperate therewit to automatically repair and reset the protector for another operation after it has operated without removing same fromits support or handling it or its parts; second, to provide a construction in such apparatus whereby it is compulsor to test the protectonbefore it can be a ain p aced in the circuit as a protector;

the compulsorytest may be readily and efficiently made; fourth, to provide an alarm to indicate the condition of.the protector when tested and to indicate when the latter is-reset, and, fifth, to provide a resetting-tool which cannot force the rotector to a reset position before it is so iciently heated or which cannot overheat the protector after same is reset.

To accomplish the purposes of this invention, I first preferably provide a heat-coil or thermal protector which when it operates turns upon an axis to anew osition, where it is again fixedly secured. en I provide a device or tool which maybe brought in con' close a circuit throu h same to heat it,-to automatically turn t e protector back to its normal operative position, to break the circuit throu h the protector to allow it to cool, and there y secure itself in this normal operative position, and to hold the rotector in this position until it cools. I wish it to be understood, however, that a rotary heat-coil is not essential to the invention, as the principles herein involved may be applied to other forms of protectors also, that the construction herein shown and described is not the only arrangement by.which the princi les of this invention can be carried out. I have simply illustrated one Way of accomplishing the desired results. I

I preferably em loy a soldered connection in the protector w ich unsolders to allow the are again resoldered.

dering the soldered connedtion to reset the 'erly unsolder and reset,

, to provide an arrangement whereby protector to operate and then. resolders the parts of the protector in a new relative posi= tion. The tool which I soldered joint and moves the parts back to their normal relativerplosition, where the is feature of unso protector to operative position is a feature of this invention which I claim broadly. If the protector unsolders and resets properly, it shows that it is in proper condition to be used again in the circuit. If it does not propit shows that the heatroducing means is either open or shortcircinted or that the rotector is damaged in some Way. In case the protector is damaged in any way it can be readily replaced by a new one. Thus it will be seen that the circuit to be protected is always supplied with a protector which is in good operative condition.

The alarm or indicator may be adaptedto indicate whether the current is properly closed through the protector when same is to be reset and when the current is cut off from the protector'after it is reset.

I will more particularly describe my invention by reference to the accompanying drawin s, inwhichigure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the heat-coil preferably used. Fig. 2 is an end view of the heat-coil in connection with its supporting and operating springs and a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the resetting-tool, with the battery circuit, with portions of the tool shown in elevation, the tool being shown in theposition ready to be used to reset the heat-coil to operative position.

employ with this. type of protector automatically unsolders t e Fig. 3 is a view of Fig. 2 taken from the left thereof, the handle of the resetting-tool being shown in elevation, and Fig. 4 is an end view of the resetting-tool ofFi 2. v

Like characters refer to like parts in the several figures. The heat-coil A herein shown is a-modification of the heat-coil which forms the subject matter of my application for patent on selfsoldering heat-coil, Serial N 0. 255,444, filed April 13, 1905. Q

In the heat-coil A the pin (1 is secured with in the tube f by an easily-fusible solder e. Insulating-washers b b are rigidly secured upon tube f. Shell 0 is carried by washers b b and is rigidly'secured' thereto. Heatroducing Winding c'is Wound upon tube between washers b b and is in circuit with pin (Z and shell (L. hen the heat-coil is set to 013-- erative position, the pin d is inserted between ears 7r 7c of spring j, the flattened end it of pin (1 fitting into an indenture in one ear is tohold the pin (1 in a fixed position. On the shell (1 I preferably provide two teeth and 1), respectively. The point r on spring Z" engages tooth 0 when the apparatus is in a set,

. material 0 and thereby allows spring t to turn the heat-coil upon the pin d until the tooth 0 takes the position 0 and the tooth p takes the position 11 and spring i releases itself from tooth 0 and takes the position 1. The circuit through the heat-coil is now 0 en, and as soon as the solder e cools and bar ens it resolders the tube f to the pin d in this new relative position.

The resetting tool B is preferably constructed as follows: A pin 11:, provided with an annular shoulder .2, extends through an insulatingsleeve 1 A plunger. w is loosely placed upon the insulating-sleeve y? and is provided with an insulating-covering 12 over a part of its external surface. An insulatingwasher q is placed on pin in between shoulder a and plunger w to insulate the latter from pin :0. A coil-s ring a is loosely placed upon the sleeve if an is conductively and securely connected with the plun er' to at M. One end of spring a is extende through a hole in the insulating-handle portiont, which latter is preferably screwed upon the pin as against the sleeve y Conductors a and b are connected to pin a: and spring a, respectively, the handle 25 being cut away at t to facilitate such connections. Battery 8, preferably a few dry cells, and apparatus (1 are connected in circuit with conductors-afand 17 q may be a resistancecoil, a rheostat, a switch, an am'meter, an alarm, or any desirable instrument for controllin or indicating the current from battery 8. The circuit through the resetting-tool is from pin 9;,throughconductor 0?, battery .9, instrument q, conductor b, and

spring a to lunger w:

To reset t e heat-coil to operative position, the plunger w is first place against tooth p of the heat-coil in the position p. Then by means of the handle t the pin x is pushed to the position 0: against springy', the handle t taking the position t? and the plunger w remaining in the same'relative position to the heat-coil as when first engaged therewith.

This operation of't'he' resetting-tooLB com presses the coil-spring u, thus putting theplunger w under a tension against tooth in the position 19 and closes the circuit of at-- When the current from battery 8 has trav-' ersed winding 0 for a short length of timesay from two to ten seconds, depending upon the strength of the current usedthe heat generated in winding 0 softens the heat-susceptible material e, and thereb allows the heat-coil to turn upon pin (1. T e plunger to, being under spring tension, now turns the heat-coil in the direction of arrow n on the pin (1 until the teeth 0 and p take their normal ositionsrelatively to sprin 1', (indicated by tl ie letters 0 and p, res 'ectivriy) the pluner to at the same time ta in the ositionw. When the heat-coil is turned ack ar enough, the plunger w sli s over the tooth 1) until the latter rests on t e insulating-ring 12, which breaks the circuit of battery 8 through the.

heat-coil. The heat-susceptible material e now cools and hardens, and thereby resolders the heat-coil to the pin d'in its original operative osition. The point r of s ring 11 may now e reengaged with the toot o'as origi nally to set the apparatus for another operation. the operation and'resetting of the heat-col and apparatus ma be repeated as man times as desired. 11 resetting the heat-coll to operative position the plum er 1!; rests against the body of the heat-col and thus prevents the latter from turning too far when the coil-spring it throws the heat-coil back to operative position.

This cycle of operations comprising If the protector A can be properly reset to r operative position, it shows that the" heatproducing1 means is in proper condition to eat the eafisusceptible material and that the soldered joint 13 in proper condition to operate. If the heat-producing winding 0 is open or short-circuited, it will not heat the heat-susceptible material e and consequently. ..the protector cannot be reset.

If the rotec tor can be reset, it shows that it wil again operate. Therefore the'eificiency of the protector is always tested when same is reset for another operation, and if it is found to be defective or damaged it may be replaced by a new one. With the arrangement of this in vention it is compulsory to test the heat-coil before it can be used again.

With this form of resetting-tool the heatcoil cannot be turned back to o sition before the solder is sufliciently softened, as spring a is comparatively weak, so as not to break the solder before it is heatedsufiicientlyto'resolder the lparts together after they have been reset. herefore the heat coil cannot be Strained or damaged by the rative po-- ranging.

use of this tool. As the resettin -tool automatically shuts off the current t rough the heat-coil as soon as the latter is reset, the heat-coil cannot be burned -out or overheated if the tool is held against the heatcoil too long.

I do not wish to limit this invention to the minor details of construction as shown in the drawings, as many modifications may be made in the construction without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, ters Patent, is

1. In apparatus, of the class specified, a

thermal protector normally held against operation by heat-susceptible material, means for operating the protector when the heatsusceptible material is softened, and means for supplyin the protector with current for resoftening t e heat-susceptible material and resetting the parts of the protector to their normal positionfor another '0 eration.

2. In apparatus of the c ass specified, arts held together by a solder-joint, means or producing relative movement of the parts when the device operates, and means for supplying the device with current to unsolder the joint and set'the parts back to their normal relative position for another operation.

3. An electrical controller comprisin therand desire to secure by Let mally-operablesecuring nieans releasa le on" a change in electrical-circuit conditions, and means whereby the device 1s automatically reset from an inoperative to an operative position preparatory for another operation,

ona second change in electrical-circuit conditions.

4. A thermal protector, means for disarranging the arts thereof upon abnormal electrical conditions therein, means for supplying current to the device, and means for rearranging the said parts for another 0 eration when the heating effect of the sai current is sufficient.

5. A thermal protector the parts of which have been disarranged by the operation of the device, and-means for,supplying current for heating the rotector and rearranging the parts for anotiier operation.

6. An electrical circuit rotector comprising solder-controlled devices for protecting the circuit on the passage of an unduly stron current, means for supplying current for re mating the device to reset same for another operation, and means for rearranging the parts for resoldering.

7. A- thermal protector-the parts of which have been disarranged by the operation of the device, mechanical means for rearrangingthe parts for another operation, and means for supplying current to permit of the rear- 8. A device operable upon abnormal current conditions, electrical means for heating the device for resetting and means for re setting the device for operation.

- 9. A device operable upon abnormal current conditions, and means adapted to apply current thereto for heating the device and to reset same for another operation.

10. An electrical-circuit protector comprising movable parts, asolder-joint normally securing the sai parts in position, thermal means or releasing the so der-joint, means for moving the movable parts, means for supplying current for re-rel easing the solderoint after operation, and means for resetting the parts 'to o erative position where they are automaticaiiy resoldered.

11. An electrically-operable device comprising a solder-joint, means for unsoldering the latter after it has cooled after operation, and means for rearranging the parts for another -o eration, in which position they are secured y the cooling of the solder.

12. An electrical-circuit protector comprising means operable upon an excess of current, means for supplying heat to the device after'o eration, and means for resetting the device For another operation when thus heated. I

13. An electrothermal device of the character described, a solder-joint in the device, means for operating the device when the sol-. der is softened, the cooling of the solder-j oint placing the device in an inoperative condition,

means for now supplyingcurrent for softening the solder, and means for resetting the device to operative position while the solder is softened, in which position it is held by the coolingoffthe'latter.

1 14. An electrothermal device operable upon abnormal current conditions, and elec: tromec'hanical means for reheating the device and resetting same from an inoperative to an operative osition.

15. A t ermally-operable electric-circuit controller, and means cooperating therewith for re-releasing and resetting in reset operative position a portion thereof released upon operation. a

16. A device operable upon abnormal current conditions, and means cooperating therewith to apply current thereto after operation for heating the device, and to reset same for another operation when heated.

17. A thermal protector comprisin a stationary axis and a rotary portion helcI to the axis by heat-susceptible material and carrying heat-producin means; in combination with an electrica resetting-tool therefor comprising a. spindle, a sleeve of insulation placed upon the spindle, a coil-spring encircling the said sleeve, and a plunger carried by the said sleeve and adapted to be actuated by the said spring.

18. An' electricalcircuit protector comprising a solder-joint, and an electromechanical device cooperating therewith after operbination with a resettin -too for the protector, comprisin a spin e, a coil-spring and plunger carrie by the spindle and insulated therefrom, the said sprin being arranged to actuate the plunger, an a handle portion; the said tool being adapted to engage a said engaging device and .close a circuit through the protector. tosoften the heat-susceptible material, and to reset the protector to operacombination. of cementing tive position, substantially as described. a

20. In an electrical-circuit protector, the material, means for softening said materia on the passage of an unduly strong current, a movable part normally held against movement by said cementing material, means for moving said part whensame is released .by'the passage of an' unduly strong current, means for applying current for lresoftening the cementing material aftersame has'hardened after operation, and means for moving said movable part into position for another operation where it is automatically recemented by the cooling of the cementing material.

.21. A rotary heat-cartridge, means for operating same, and a tool for closin a circuit of a source of electricity through t e protector to heatsame, and for resettin the protector for another operationwhen t us heated;

22. A heat-cartrid e comprising a rotary detent, heat-suscepti le material normally holding the detent from operating, heat-producingmeans for softening the heat-susceptible material, means to engage the detent to operate same when the heat-susceptible material is softened, the cooling of the latter after operation securing the detent in a new position, means to engage the detent to reset. same to operative positionwhen the heat-susceptible material is again softened, meansfor closing a resetting-current through the device to soften the heat-susceptible material, means for automatically opening the circuit through the device. after the detent has been reset, and means for holding the detent in the proper position while the heat-susceptible material cools.

23. An electrical-circuit protector comprising an o erable portionand a solder-joint normally ho ding the operable portion against operation, in combination with a tool adapted to be applied thereto after operation to close a circuitthrough the protector to reheat same and automatically reset sameto o erative position Where it is secured by the so der- -joint becoming cool.

24. The combination with a thermal protector of the class specified, of a resettingling means adapted to turn the rotary detent when the heat-susceptible material is softened, means to be applied to the rotary detent after operation to apply current thereto to resoften the heat-susceptible material, and means to automatically turn the rotary detent back to normal position.

26. A tool for resetting thermal protectors of the character described, comprising mechanism to be applied to the protector to close a circuit through same for heating, spring means for automatically resetting the protector after same is heated, and means for opening the circuit after the protector is reset. V

'27. A tool for resetting thermal protectors of the character described,.comprising'mechanism to be applied to the protector to close a circuit through'same for heating, spring means for automaticall resetting the protector after same is heated and means for opening the said circuit after the protector is reset, the tool] being constructed to hold the protector in reset position while cooling.

28. The combination of an electrical circuit protector operable upon abnormal current conditions, and a resetting-tool for the protector, to be applied thereto after operation, comprising means for closing an electric circuit through the protector to heat same,

and means for reversely operating theprotector to reset same for a subsequent operation.

- 29. The combination of an electrical-circuit protector operable upon abnormal current conditions, and a resetting-tool for the protector, to be applied thereto after operation, comprising means for closing an electric circult through the protector to heat same, and spring-controlled means for resetting the protector tor another operation.

30. The combination of a thermal protector operable under abnormal current conditi'ons, and a device to be applied thereto after operation to test the protector and in testing it to reset same for another operation.

31. A resetting-tool for thermal protectors, comprising a metallic spindle with a shoulder thereon, an insulating-sleeve carried b the spindle, a metallic plunger loosely p aced upon the said sleeve and insulated from the said spindle, an insulating-ring covering a portion of the external surface of the plunger,- a coil-spring encircling the insulating sleeve and attached to the metallic plunger, an insulating-handle secured to one end of the spindle and forming a bearing for the coilspring and a source of electricit and an elec trical instrument in circuit wit the spindle, coil-spring and lunger. r

32. A rotary eat-cartrid e provided with engaging devices and norma ly secured in operative position by heat susceptible material, spring means 'for supporting the protector, spring means for engaging an en aging device to. operate the protector under ainormal current conditions, a tool provided with a springactuated member adapted to engage an engaging device to reset the heat-cartridge to operative position when the heat-susceptible material is softened, a s indle adapted to be moved into contact wit the first-mentionedspring, means to close a-circuit through the heat-cartridge to heat same for resetting, the said movement of the spindle lacing the said spring-actuated member un er stress of its actuating-spring, a source of electricity in circuit with the said spindle and'sprin -actuated member-[and a suitable handle or the tool, the latter, when used to reset the heatcartridge, first having its spring-actuated member engaged with an engaging device ofthe cartridge, then having its spring-actuated member placed under tension ofits actuating-spring and thereby closing the 'resetting-current'thro'ugh the cartridge, then-resetting the heat-cartridge t0 0 erative position when the heat-susceptib e material is sufiiciently'softened, then breaking the circuit through the cartridge to allow the heatsusceptible material-tocool, and holding the cartridge in position while cooling. s

33. The combination of a rotary heat-cartridge operab e under abnormal current conditions, and a device ..to be applied thereto after operation totest'the protector and in testing it to reset same for another operation.

34. The combination ofa thermal protector operable underabnormal current conditions, and an electromechanical device to be applied thereto after operation to testthe 7 electrical condition of the protector andin testing it to reset; same for another operation. 35. The combination of a thermal protector of the class specified, and a tool to be applied thereto after operation to ascertain the condition of same and simultaneously. re-.

the protector to heat same, and s ringv means for resettinj the protector when eated.-

3.6. An e ectrothermal device of the character described, normally held against operation by heat-susceptible materia and meansto'be applied thereto after operation to reversely operate same and thereby reset same for. another operation I I 37. An electrothermal device of the character described, normally held against operation by heat-susceptible materia and means ,for operating same after ith'as cooled after operation, to reset same ,for another operat1on.- i I f 38. Electrical protective-apparatus operable under abnormal electrical conditions, means for sup lying'lieat thereto after operation to con ition same for resetting, and

means for resetting the a paratus. for -an-- other 0 eration when thus eated.

39. lectrical protective apparatus operr.

able under abnormal electrical conditions mally holdin same against 0 eration, means for appl 'ng eat to the sol er after the ap- .75 therein, a solder-joint in the apparatus norand means for resetting the apparatus for another operation while the so tion to secure same in such operative position.

40. Electrical protective apparatus operable under abnormal electncal conditlons therein, a solder-joint in theapparatus normally holding same against operation, and

,meansfor applying electricity to the a par 9 ratus after operationto cause same to eat the solder and soften same, if in good condition, as a test on the ap aratus.

A's inventor of :the oregolng subscribingwitnesses, this 24th day of April, 1905. f FRANK B. COOK.

' Witnesses:

FREDEnIoK-R. Panama, JNO. F. ToMBmNs er is in-condi- 1 p v I hereunto. ,7 subscribe my name, in the presence of two 9S 

